Gov. Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau, has urged residents of the state to be united and tolerate one another at all times.
The governor gave the advice during the 2024 Nzem Berom, an annual cultural festival of the Berom ethnic group, on Friday in Jos.
Mutfwang, who commended the mammoth growth who gathered to celebrate the annual festival, reiterated the need for all ethnic groups in the state to be their brother’s keepers at all times.
“I want to congratulate all the sons and daughters of Berom land on this year’s Nzem Berom.
“I’m particularly excited that we have exhibited a true Plateau spirit; spirit of commitment to public good and being one another’s keepers.
“It is this spirit that has kept us as a people that in spite of all our travails, the years of attacks and destructions, the people of Plateau have remained resilient.
“And that is why today the contribution of the people of Plateau to the national food basket cannot be underestimated; if not for the food that comes from Plateau, Nigeria will know hunger,”he said.
Mutfwang, also urged residents of the state to put events of the past behind them and love their neighbours devoid of tribe, religious and political linens.
“Therefore, I urge all Plateau citizens to stand together, shoulder to shoulder, and resist those who seek to decimate us.
”We must stand together to protect the land that God has given us and we can only do that by uniting, loving and tolerating one another,”he called.
The governor thanked Da Gyang Buba, the Gbong Gwom Jos and the Chairman, Council of Chiefs and Emirs in the state, for promoting unity among all ethnic groups in Plateau.
“By the grace of God, through the leadership that the Gbong Gwom Jos shows, I am sure God will continue to grant us strength and wisdom until we achieve our dreams of having a united, peaceful and prosperous Plateau.
“I urge your majesty to use your position to bring all the ethnic nationalities in Plateau together; we are one, nothing must come between us, nothing must divide us” he said.
The governor also donated N10 million to the Wurom Trust Fund, aimed at establishing technological hub for youth development in the state.
Earlier, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, represented by Sen. Diket Plang, the senator representing Plateau Central Senatorial Zone, called on the people to use cultural festivals to showcase the tourism potentials of the state.
On his part, Mr Daniel Jatau, the Deputy Governor of Gombe State, called on Nigerians to honour and promote their cultural norms at all times.
Speaking, the Gbong-Gwom Jos, who described culture as the way of life, called on Nigerains to preserve their cultures from extinction.
The Gbong Gwom prayed for bumper harvest in all parts of the state during the farming season.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event had the theme ”The future of Beromland: Reconstructiin Rehabilitation, Reorientation”.
NAN also reports that the Berom people are predominantly located in Barkin ladi, Riyom, Jos-South and Jos-North Local Government Areas of Plateau.(NAN)
